Has anyone had experience with the Metolius river in Oregon? Local patterns, times of the year to fish, etc. It looks like maybe late-May or June almost a year from now will be a vacation to Oregon around the Metolius river.
Take care and tight lines, everyone, Pete
Pete,
Keep in contact. The Metolius is one of my home waters. Late June is better on the Metolius, with chances to catch the Green Drake hatch. Golden stones also bring the fish, and you can nymph for the big bull trout. Late May would be a distant second, and prone to being blown out by the weather.
The best flyshop to contact is: The Flyfisher's Place in Sisters. Nate grew up on the Metolius and would be an expert resource. The other guys including owner Jeff Perrin fish the Metolius often and are very familiar with the water. There is also a modest flyshop in Camp Sherman at the head of the Metolius, but that is just a branch shop of the Flyfisher's Place. A road follows the Metolius down to Lower Bridge, and the best fishing is usually found the furthest walk from the road.
http://www.theflyfishersplace.com/
The Metolius is a difficult technical river that pays off to skilled flyfishers, long leaders, and small tippets. Almost all the fish are wild. Wading can be treacherous in the lower river which has shelfs and chutes, big shin-banger trip-up rocks, so bring studded boots and a wading staff. The upper river is very genteel, crystal clear dry fly water. I think the Metolius is one of the prettiest sights in Oregon, a truly gorgeous setting. Along with the popularity, you can expect some crowds at that time of the year.
Here's the latest report from June 29th
Metolius River - June 29th, 2004
FISHING: Great
the Green Drake hatch is still on in the hatchery to below 99 area. The golden stones are out in the allingham to the headwaters stretch, and PMD's and caddis are all over the river. Also a lot of small yellow sally's and little olive stones out and about, plus a good spinner fall at dusk.
FLIES:
NYMPHS- batman, ggp, bead head pt, serendipity, brassie, wd40, double bead, lite brite larva, rubber leg squirrell, tungsten micro mayfly
DRIES- pmd cripples, emergers and duns, rusty spinner, caddis emergers and adults, green drakes, clarks stone, norm woods, triple decker stone
Bull trout fishing is pretty good, the fish seem to be looking for streamers again.
Hope you have a great experience.
Wes Wada Bend, Oregon
